Garden Fencing Services
19 Oct

Choosing a Fencing Company

Fencing plays a very important role in your garden so it is important to choose the right fencing company to advise and install your fencing. They will be able to share with you their wealth of knowledge and experience. So where to start looking? Recommendations are always a good place to begin. Speak to your friends and family to see if they have someone they would recommend. Then take a look at their website and also look through the company’s social media to see their previous projects and reviews. Work out your budget for the fencing project as costs can vary between the different materials, for example hardwood fencing is more expensive than softwood fencing. Get quotes from different companies to compare. It is a good idea to shortlist three or four companies for quotes. By using a fencing company you are ensuring that you receive an efficient service together with fine craftsmanship. They can also help you with any customisation needed for your fencing and will provide the fencing onsite for you saving you having to source the materials and arrange delivery. In addition they can organise any permits needed for waste removal of your existing fencing. They will advise you on the different fencing options available. Fencing comes in many different materials, styles and designs and they can discuss with you what would work best for your home, understand your preferences and your needs for the project. Is it for privacy, security or decorative purposes? An initial site visit will take place where the various options will be discussed. The next step is a written quote detailing the work involved and the total cost for the project. Then if happy with the quote a start date will be agreed for your project. Feel free to keep in contact with the company if you have any questions on the project. They should be happy to put your mind at ease. If you do have any questions on fencing projects please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com and we will be happy to help. We cover East London.      

Garden Fencing Services
10 Nov

What To Consider When Planning A Fencing Project

Here we look at what to consider when planning a fencing project in your garden. There are many things to take into account. Firstly, what are your requirements for your fencing? Are you looking to enhance privacy, trying to try to block out noise, to make sure that your fencing is secure for your pets and children, or you want to create an attractive border around your property? Then you need to consider your budget for the project as the type of fencing you choose can vary in cost and there are many different types of fencing to choose from. One of the first considerations is the type of fence post to install, do you opt for concrete posts and gravel boards or wooden posts and wooden gravel boards. Bear in mind that concrete posts and gravel boards are more costly. Next think about the materials for your project. Do you want softwood or hardwood fencing? Both look great. Hardwood is often darker in hue and chosen for its woodgrain. Softwood is very popular and is more cost effective to use on a project. The softwood fencing that we install is all pressure treated. Composite fencing is growing in popularity as is composite decking and is a very low maintenance option to consider. Then decide on what style you would like for your fencing. Think of the style of your property and how to compliment it. Fencing can be installed vertically or horizontally. Vertical fencing is the more traditional option and very often seen on garden projects. Horizontal fencing suits a modern garden and is very popular with our clients too. Don’t forget the finish of your fencing with accessories. Do you want to add fence caps or a trellis at the top? Is a gate required? Lighting always looks great along a line of fencing and creates a great finish to a garden project. Remember to consider your neighbours and let them know of the upcoming work. The final step is to speak to a professional to discuss your project and get a quote for the work. You need to find a contractor that you feel comfortable working with. If you have any questions or would like to discuss a fencing project, please get in touch. We can arrange a free consultation at your home at a time that is convenient for you. Alternatively you can email across photos of the area to be fenced, together with some measurements, and we can provide an approximate costing by email. We provide landscaping services in East London and West Essex and specialise in paving, decking, fencing, brickwork, driveways, turfing and artificial lawns. Please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413.

Grey composite decking with horizontal slatted fencing and raised rendered beds, East London
01 Sep

Modern Low Maintenance Garden

A modern low maintenance garden, this was a project for a busy couple living in East London. They were looking for a beautiful space to carry out lots of entertaining with their friends and family. They also wanted a low maintenance garden as they were both busy with their lives and jobs so didn’t have the time for lots of gardening and wanted to be able to relax. Our clients loved the look of decking and softwood decking had previously been installed in their garden. They wanted to keep decking in the garden but were looking for a more low maintenance option. They wanted a grey colour scheme in the project and this is where composite decking fits perfectly. It comes in a wide variety of colours and is extremely low maintenance. Only really needing a sweep over to remove any fallen leaves or debris and the occasional spray with a hose. It is also hardwearing and feels smooth underfoot. To bring greenery into the space and also incorporate the low maintenance requirements raised rendered beds were built ready for planting. Our clients were looking forward to choosing the plants for their new beds and wanted to bring a holiday feeling to the space. The render used for the beds was K-Rend which comes in a variety of colours to match a project so that once it is applied there is no need for painting. To provide a modern look for the fencing we installed horizontal slatted fencing on all boundaries. We used softwood slats for the fencing which is more affordable than Cedar or hardwood and looks great too. If you are planning a modern low maintenance garden and would like a consultation to discuss a project please get in touch. Please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free appointment.

Garden Redesign South Woodford
31 Oct

Garden Redesign South Woodford, East London

Our latest project was a garden redesign for our clients in South Woodford, East London. Our clients had recently had an extension to their property and their back garden was left in a mess and was pretty much unusable for them. After creating such a beautiful home they wanted to create a beautiful garden to relax in. They were looking at a low maintenance garden and had ideas of what they wanted to achieve. We started off with an initial consultation to discuss ideas and products to use in their garden. Our consultations are free where we provide a quote for the works. We then showed them samples of paving and decking options for them to choose. There are many different types of paving materials and different size options to consider. For the decking we looked at hardwood and softwood options and discussed costings and the difference in the materials. There were various levels in the garden so we installed Indian Sandstone paving to incorporate these with steps going down to the bottom level with rendered columns. We lay softwood decking and installed the rope handrails. We built the raised beds ready for planting, together with a rendered bed and surrounded these with decorative stones and stepping stones. We installed feather-edge fencing at the bottom of the garden with horizontal slatted fencing at the top. This garden gave our happy clients everything they were looking for. If you would like to discuss a project please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413. We cover East London . Our experienced teams specialise in decking, paving, fencing, brickwork and turfing.

Landscaping consultation in East London
28 Feb

How To Plan A Garden Makeover

Carrying out a total garden makeover is a very exciting and important project for your home. Take your time to think and plan what your dream garden will look like. What look would you like to achieve? Think about what you need your garden to be? Somewhere to relax, somewhere for the children to play? Take into account the size and shape of your space when planning. Do you like a traditional garden or a more modern contemporary look? Think about what would work well with your style of home. Carry out some research by visiting garden centres, open gardens, garden magazines and online and even the gardens of your friends and family for inspiration. A garden makeover can take place any time throughout the year. In the Winter the plants are dormant and so it is easier to work around the garden, or the Summer when you get the opportunity to really understand how to make the best use of your space. If you choose to carry out the work in the Winter this enables you to have your garden ready for when the Spring arrives to get the most use out of it throughout the year. In the Winter you may be able to negotiate more with your landscaper than in the Spring or Summer. Which hard landscaping do you want to introduce into your project? Do you want to be relaxing on a patio or decking area? Would you like a large lawn area to spread out on in the Summer and for your pets to have space to run around? Once you decide then carry out research on what materials you want to use for your project. There are so many options available so make sure you look at as many as possible. Carry out research online and also go into the local garden shops to take a look at samples. For decking do you want wooden decking or composite decking. If wooden do you want hardwood or softwood decking. Which do you prefer the look of, also what budget do you have for this part of the project as hardwood decking is slightly more expensive. Carry out your research to find out which type of decking suits your project and budget. There are many choices of wood available for both options. If you choose softwood decking we regularly use a decking board that allows you the choice to have a grooved or smooth finish so a further decision to make. What shape do you want your decking to be, do you want a curved finish or a standard rectangular shape flush to your home. Do you want to make additions to the decking by adding spindles and handrails, lighting, seating or storage. These additions can really make a difference to the overall project. They can always be added at a later stage if your budget doesn’t allow at the time. For paving there are many different designs and products. Which type of paving slab do you like the look of, which would work well with all the other materials you have chosen for your garden makeover project. Is it one patio needed or maybe two, one outside the back door and one at the end of the garden where the sun trap in your garden is with a path connecting the two. Then you need to decide which way you want to lay the paving as that can create a totally different look too. Do you want a square or rectangle patio or a circular one. Maybe one area of the garden as a patio and a decking area as well. Fencing plays a large part in the look of your garden so consideration really does need to be given to this area of the garden. Do you like the traditional fencing or the contemporary look of the horizontal slatted fencing. Which would work best with your overall design. There is also the choice with the traditional fencing of whether to go with concrete or wooden posts. One area that might not be considered is waste costs for the project. If you require a skip will you need to contact your local council to purchase a skip permit and do you also need to include bay charges if there are parking restrictions in your area. Do remember to include waste removal costs into your budget. If you would like to discuss a garden makeover then please get in touch with us to discuss and we can arrange a consultation to talk through your project. Email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413.

Garden Makeover E10
22 Jan

Garden Makeover in East London

Here we look at a garden makeover in East London. Our client was looking for a total garden makeover of her outdoor space. She chose January to carry out the work to get her garden ready for the Spring. The first step was a consultation at her home to look at the garden space and discuss ideas and plans. The property was in East London and was an older property and the owner was keen to combine the older character of the property with some modern additions and was looking for some ideas. To keep in character Charcoal Cobbles were laid as paving stones coming straight out from the back door and side recess to create a great entertaining space. This included steps up to the lawn area with red brick edgings. The original walls were kept and horizontal slatted fencing was installed throughout above the walls to provide privacy but also an aesthetic addition to the space. The mix of the wood and the brick provides a lovely look. The horizontal fencing was also used to create a storage area which flowed seamlessly with the fencing. A new lawn was laid and raised flower beds built from railway sleepers were installed all ready for planting up. If you would like to discuss a project we provide landscaping services in East London . Get in touch for a free initial consultation to discuss your project. Email us office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413.

Paving in Winter
26 Nov

Getting Your Garden Ready For Winter

Getting your garden ready for Winter. If you would like your garden to look great in the Spring then carrying out some work in the Winter to prepare your garden for the cold spell will really help it. Here are some tasks to consider undertaking: 1. Give your paving and paths a good clean. Take off all the furniture and planters, clear out all the leaves, give it a good brush down and a clean with some soapy water and a stiff broom. If you have a pressure washer this will make the job a lot quicker and easier for you. 2. Give your decking a good brush down, firstly take off any chairs or tables or planters, then getting into the corners to remove any dead leaves or debris. Finally give it a wash down with some soapy water and a stiff broom or a pressure washer if you have one available. 3. Take a walk around your garden and take a good look around the boundary of your fences to check that the posts are still in good order and the fence panels do not need repair or for any to be replaced. 4. Lighting will really brighten up your garden in the Winter so is something to consider adding if not already there. The nights draw in fairly early now. 5. For your lawn go over the entire area with a rake to remove thatch and moss allowing it to breath and grow. Aerate and give it an Autumn feed. 6. Trim your hedges before the frost hits. 7. For your trees remove any dead or damaged branches. 8. Tidy up your borders by removing any weeds or dead foliage and leaves. Remove any annual plants and cut back herbaceous perennials. 9. If you have a compost bin now would be a good time to clear it out and spread it across your beds ready for the Spring. This also helps to make the beds look a little more presentable over the Winter. 10. Now is the time to plant out your Spring bulbs before the Winter kicks in. Once Spring arrives your garden will be alive with colour. 11. Take a look at your shed or greenhouse to see if the wood needs a coat of paint or any repairs need to be carried out. Now is a good time to give it a tidy up and clean inside and get all your tools in order. Consider adding shelving to make things easier to find. 12. For any delicate plants wrap them up in fleece ready for the Winter or move them to the greenhouse or conservatory. 13. If you have a pond try to keep it clear of leaves and place a ball in there to float on the surface to stop it freezing over completely. 14. If snow does arrive, and it seems to be more likely each year, then knock the snow that is resting on the leaves of your plants to try to prevent severe damage. If you are thinking of a new project for your garden like adding in a decking area in a sunny corner or a patio area to create a great entertaining space then now is a good time to get the work carried out whilst the garden isn’t getting as much use. If you would like to discuss please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413 to arrange a free consultation and a quote for the works.

Fence replacement
13 Apr

Fence Replacements

A desire for privacy away from prying eyes, securing a boundary or the need to repair damaged panels usually results in a quick decision to install a new fence.  But being too hasty can result in the wrong choices being made.  Simply choosing a fence style is not easy. All too frequently people opt for straightforward larch lap type fencing because it is the most common type.  There are lots of different types such as lap fences, closeboard, rails, wavy edged, hazel hurdles and willow weaves.  Some types may be more suitable to your property than others. You need to consider style and colour as well as the need for security.    Size too can make a difference.  A desire for privacy can often result in installing too tall fence panels but if your garden is exposed to the wind, then you may find that these are more prone to wind damage during storms.  It can also lead to problems with neighbours. This is certainly something that we can advise you on.  You can easily find yourself breaching legal covenants and restrictions, incurring legal expenses and eventually having to replace the fence yet again.  It may be you are not even responsible for the fence.  Who owns your fence? Is it you or your neighbour?  Many home owners have little knowledge of just what their responsibilities are with regard to property boundaries.    Some housing estates have restrictions as to the type of boundary markers that can be used at the front of properties, requiring an almost open plan layout.    Before taking any action to replace or install a fence, it is wise to check your deeds and identify exactly what you can or cannot do.  Talking to a local hard landscaping company such as C&J Landscapes Ltd will be beneficial.  Their in-depth knowledge of the area means that they will frequently already know what can and cannot be done with fences in your area. This can reduce the research time and avoid potential problems. Talking to the experts and seeking their help can be a much better longterm option than just choosing an off the peg fence and hoping it works. Using a specialist ensures that the fence matches your legal responsibilities, personal style and is installed safely and securely with minimum disturbance to you and your neighbours. If you would like to arrange a consultation to discuss your fence replacement please get in touch via our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com or email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com.

Garden Fencing Services
05 Jan

Maintaining A Fence

Here we look at maintaining a fence. With the onset of winter, checking the condition of fences is essential. Any inherent weaknesses in a fence are made worse by winter weather. Strong winds, floodwaters, heavy rain and snow piled against the base of a fence can be the final straw. All too often, it is at this point that homeowners discover that their fence is no more.   It then becomes a rush to try and get a new fence. Decisions are made in a hurry, and you may have to wait some time for a fencing contractor to install it, as they will be deluged with similar requests from many other people. In the meantime, the security of your home and garden is compromised, and more damage may ensue from the presence of the damaged fence. With additional costs caused by poor security, damaged plants and potentially damaged garden buildings, the price can quickly start mounting.   Avoiding this situation involves just a few minutes of your time. Take a close look at your fence and investigate its overall condition. Are there any loose planks, or fence sections? Are the supporting posts strong and secure? Look carefully at the base of a fence. This is often where weaknesses can appear, yet be hidden from normal view. Give the supporting posts a push and see if they move. If so, then you have a potential problem emerging.   Remember too that a fence has two sides. One side might look OK, but the other may have problems. If it is a party fence, arrange with your neighbour to inspect it from their garden. This will enable you to see if there are any weaknesses appearing, or if the wood is deteriorating.   Weatherproofing a fence will help protect the wood from much of the vagaries of wind and weather but this can only be done when it is dry and there is no rain or snow forecast.   Contact a fencing contractor if you see any problems emerging. They can advise on the best techniques to repair the fence, replacing posts or fence sections quickly and efficiently. Fixing a fence needs more than just one pair of hands – a fencing contractor has the staff and skills to complete the job rapidly, a factor that is extremely important in wintertime.   If you notice a problem with your fence or are looking to have new fencing installed please get in touch via our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com or email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com.

Horizontal slatted fencing
02 Nov

Choosing A New Fence

Here we discuss choosing a new fence. Fences are extremely vulnerable in winter. Storms, high winds, frost and snow can cause major problems. Taking action in advance can pay dividends for canny homeowners as it ensures the safety and security of your property. A further advantage is that a smart, well cared for fence will create a good impression for visitors and add value to your home, making it easier to sell.   Fences mark boundaries between houses. They provide security, deterring potential intruders. If you have young children, strong fences ensure they can play safely and securely within your garden without any risk of wandering away.   This is the perfect time to check out the condition of your fence. Are all the panels secure? Are they showing signs of wear and tear? Are there any broken pieces? If trellis pieces have been attached to the fence, are they fixed securely? Bear in mind that the weight of climbing plants can often cause trellis to pull away from its supports so you may need to do some pruning.   Look carefully at the posts that support the fence panels. Are these securely fixed in? Do they rock when you push them? This can be a sign that wood may have begun to rot. Talk to your neighbours and check the condition of the fencing on their side of the property – after all, it may look OK on one side, but problems may be emerging on the other.   Gates need to fit properly and have fastenings that actually work. Make sure that gates have no loose planks or broken pieces.   Calling in a fencing contractor will make it easier to deal with any fencing problems. A contractor has the expertise and skills to erect a new fence, or replace sections quickly.   Many people try to do it for themselves and often end up having to call in a specialist. By far the biggest problem that most people forget is that it is a task, which requires more than one pair of hands! Trying to hold a fence in place, while fixing it to a support is not easy. Fencing contractors have the people who can do the job efficiently.   Before making a decision on fencing, chat to a contractor and find out what can be provided. A contractor can advise on materials, costs and even recommend colours that will blend into your existing fence if necessary. Suggestions can also be made for additional security fencing measures or for decorative fencing styles.   If you would like to discuss your fencing requirements please get in touch via our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com or email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com. We provide fencing and landscaping services in East London .